Besides Egypt, other civilizations occurred in the Western part of Africa. List 5 of these civilizations (empires and kingdoms). Explain the basic elements such as economic, government, culture, etc. that defined 3 of the empires/Kingdoms as ancient civilizations.

Nok (Nigeria), Kingdom of Kongo, Nubia, Bantu and Songhai Empire.

The kingdom of Congo had the presence of local administrators from old families or chosen by the monarchical authority itself.

The main economic activity of the Congolese involved the practice of a developed trade where the purchase and sale of salt, metals, fabrics and products of animal origin predominated. The commercial practice could be done through barter (exchanges) or with the adoption of nzimbu, a species of shell only found in the Luanda region.

The Bantu form an African ethnic group that inhabit the region of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Most of the more than 300 ethnic subgroups are made up of farmers, who also live off fishing and hunting.

Songhai enriched by trading gold and salt across the Niger River and the desert lands of the Sahara.

The Songhai people settled in the city of Gao around 800 A. D. The Mali Empire dominated Gao in 1325. After fifty years, Songhai gained independence. A great Songhai warrior named Sonni ʿAli took power in 1464. He built the Songhai Empire by conquering Tombuctu, Jenne and other neighboring cities.

Most of the Songhai people raised livestock to live. However, many songs lived in large cities. All of them were shopping centers on the Niger River.